Playoff time for county teams

Monday

Mar 4, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — While the college tournament is still a couple weeks away, March Madness is officially here for high school boys basketball teams in Michigan.The playoffs begin this week with the district tournaments. Hillsdale County teams will compete in four different districts around the area. Hillsdale and Jonesville will compete in the Class C district tournament at Addison, while Reading will play in the Class C district at Quincy. Two Class D district tournaments will be contested in the county, with Litchfield and Pittsford serving as hosts this week.Many teams are looking to continue strong seasons, while others are excited for a chance at redemption."There have been teams that have come in hot and lost and others who's regular season weren't that good that won district titles," Hillsdale coach Brad Felix said. "It's a night-by-night deal in March and playing unfamiliar opponents can make things difficult."Here is a look at the district tournaments involving Hillsdale County teams.Class C district at AddisonThe district tournament begins tonight with Jonesville facing Adrian Madison in the opening round at 6 p.m. The winner will face Sand Creek in Wednesday's semifinal. Tonight's other first round match is an rivalry matchup between host Addison and Hudson. The winner of that game will face Hillsdale on Wednesday. The district final is Friday at 7 p.m.Jonesville ended its season with a tough loss at Quincy on Thursday. However, the Comets are still coming in hot, having won seven of its last 10 games."We're playing our best basketball of the year, and everyone is healthy which is going to be a key," Jonesville coach Larry Sheerer said. "We're going to have our work cut out for us with Madison, but we're excited to play them again."Madison defeated the Comets early in the season on its way to a 17-win season.Hillsdale swept the two games with Hudson this season on its way to the Lenawee County Athletic Association championship. The Hornets (18-2) also defeated Addison in the regional semifinals in 2011."We're preparing for every team because you can't put all your eggs in one basket," Felix said. "Madison might be the most well-rounded team along with us, but Jonesville presents different problems with their guards. Addison has height that we haven't seen. We've played 20 hard-fought games, yet we're probably going to be graded on these two games, but that's the way it is in March."Class C district at QuincyReading (5-15) has a bye to Wednesday's Class C district semifinal. The Rangers will face the winner of tonight's Schoolcraft/Union City matchup. On the other side of the bracket, Centreville will face host Quincy with the winner facing Bronson on Wednesday. The district final is 7 p.m. Friday.The Rangers dropped both meetings with Big Eight rival Union City, but both games were decided late. Schoolcraft won the Class C state title in 2011 and was in the state semifinals last year."Either way we're going to be the smaller team, but our guys will work hard and try to find a way," Reading coach Brett Kerspilo said. "It's the second season and everyone starts 0-0. You never know when things will click for you, and we're thinking anyone can win come March."Class D district at LitchfieldThe playoffs begin tonight when the host Terriers face Coldwater Pansophia Academy at 6 p.m. The winner will face Will Carleton Academy in Wednesday's semifinal. Hillsdale Academy and North Adams-Jerome will face off in the other semifinal game Wednesday. The district final takes place Friday night.Hillsdale Academy enters as the favorite, featuring sharpshooters Chip Blood and Liam Wolfram. However, the Colts will face a familiar opponent in the Rams. The district matchup will be the third meeting in the last two weeks between the teams."We haven't been in this district in a while, but we're more familiar with these teams," North Adams-Jerome coach Gary Beach said. "It gives coaches an advantage to see what works and what doesn't work. We feel this is a district that anyone could win."North Adams faced Litchfield early in the season and played Will Carleton in the Pat Patterson Holiday Tournament. The Terriers defeated Will Carleton 72-69 in December.Class D district at PittsfordThe Southern Central Athletic Conference will be well represented this week in Pittsford. Camden-Frontier faces Morenci in tonight's opening round, with the winner facing Waldron in the semifinals Wednesday. The host Wildcats will face state power Lenawee Christian in the other semifinal game Wednesday, with the district final taking place Friday.Camden-Frontier and Waldron split their two games, with the home team winning both times. Pittsford (17-3) will look to avenge a 55-52 loss to Lenawee Christian early in the season."LCS is a really good team and we're going to have to be at the top of our game," Pittsford coach Mike Burger said. "It's a challenge, but we're excited about it. We had a great season and we'll be well prepared. We have to limit our turnovers and make plays, and if we do we'll give ourselves a chance."